Clamp board for multiple entry accounting

ABSTRACT

A multiposition clamp apparatus having a plurality of spaced generally parallel hinges arranged in a manner that clamp movement can be shifted from one hinge to another so that a plurality of accounting forms are held in predetermined selected position to record information on a plurality of documents simultaneously and such documents can applied and removed independently. The multihinged clamp can be selectively moved to any one of a plurality of positions and in certain positions the clamp will remain in fixed position while in other positions the clamp will move automatically.

United States Patent Kendall Feb.29,1972

[54] CLAMP BOARD FOR MULTIPLE ENTRY ACCOUNTHNG [72] lnventor: Richard G.Kendall, 207 Stevens Mills Road, Auburn, Maine 04210 [22] Filed: July 8,1970 21] Appl. No: 53,051

[52] US. Cl "1282/29 B, 402/71, 24/67.7,

[51] Int. Cl .i ..B41l3/04 [58] Field 01 Search ..282/29 B, 29 C;402/69, 71;

[56] References Cited Y UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,291,505 12/1966 Bell eta1. ..282/29 B 2,051,551 8/1936 Evans ..281/45 X 2,256,678 9/1941 Kern2,711,911 6/1955 Zalkind.... 1,734,898 11/1929 Conradm. 3,003,50210/1961 Zalkind ..282/29 D Primary Examiner-Jerome Schnall Att0rney-A.Yates Dowell and A. Yates Dowell, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A multiposition clamp apparatus having a plurality ofspaced generally parallel hinges arranged in a manner that clampmovement can be shifted from one hinge to another so that a plurality ofaccounting forms are held in predetermined selected position to recordinformation on a plurality of documents simultaneously and suchdocuments can applied and removed independently. The multihinged clampcan be selectively moved to any one of a plurality of positions and incertain positions the clamp will remain in fixed position while in otherpositions the clamp will move automatically.

3 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Patented Feb. 29, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 1wurgm 'k ATTORNEY! Patented Feb. 29, 1972 3,645,561

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR AlC/Mfifi 6: MFA/MILL ATTORNEY;

CLAMP BOARD FOR MULTIPLE ENTRY ACCOUNTING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to multipleentry accounting systems of various kinds and relates particularly to aclamping mechanism which will permit a plurality of accounting forms tobe applied to and removed from predetermined selected-positions on aclamp board having a plurality of locating pegs-over which at least someof the forms are adapted to be disposed.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the field of bookkeeping and otheraccounting records, it is frequently necesary to record identicalinformation on a plurality of forms having different sizes, shapes anduses. For efficiency and accuracy it is desirable to simultaneouslyrecord the information on all forms involved.

Heretofore many efforts have been made to provide mechanism wherebymultiple accounting forms can be mounted on a board in overlyingposition and in registration with each other; however, these prior artdevices have not been entirely satisfactory since they have beencomplicated, expensive to manufacture and maintain, have required thatthe individual accounting forms be applied in a predetermined sequenceparticularly when using a board with a plurality of upstanding fixedlocating pegs, have been so arranged that it has been difficult 'todisassemble and remove portions of the forms after other portions havebeen separated and removed therefrom, have had a single hinge aboutwhich a clamp has been adapted to rotate (in some instances a pluralityof hinges have been provided, however, each hinge has operatedindependently of another hinge), and for other reasons have notsuccessfully fulfilled the purpose for which they were intended.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a clamp board formultiple entry accounting systems including a base having a clamp at oneside thereof. The clamp includes a pair of spaced generally parallelupper and lower hinges with a lifter swingably mounted on the lowerhinge and with a portion of such lifter adapted to support the upperhinge. A top plate is swingably mounted on the upper hinge and aspring-biased pressure plate engages the top plate in a manner tomaintain the top plate in either closed position or in half openposition. The baseplate may be provided with a plurality of equallyspaced upstanding pegs on which ledger sheets or other accounting formshaving a plurality of cooperating openings are adapted to be placed, andthe lifter normally applies a downward pressure to such accounting formor ledger sheet to lock the same in fixed position on the baseplate.Certain accounting forms such as checks, receipts and the like areconnected together in shingle or overlapping relationship with eachother and normally are provided with perforations adjacent to one edgeso that individual segments or portions can be detached from the body ofthe form. The body portion of a shingled form usually is provided with aplurality of openings spaced apart a distance corresponding to thespacing of the pegs and is received over such pegs and disposed on topof the lifter. The top plate normally maintains the shingled form infixed position on the baseplate. When the clamp is opened, the lifterwill automatically remove the body of the shingled form from the pegs.The clamp is designed to operate from a closed position, a quarter openposition, a half open position, and a fully open position.

It is an object of the invention to provide a clamp board for multipleentry accounting systems having a pair of generally parallel hinges andadapted to be operated in a plurality of positions, including a first orclosed position in which a plurality of accounting forms are locked infixed position, a second or quarter open position from which the clampwill automatically close, a third or half open position in which theclamp will remain in open position, and a fourth or fully open positionin which the clamp will automatically return to a half open position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clamp board having alifter which will lock certain accounting forms to the board in oneposition and will raise such accounting forms in another position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustratinga clamp board with a clamp along one edge and with the board in extendedposition.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating the board in closed position.

FIG. 3 is an end view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view of a portion of theclamp.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view thereof.

FIG. 7 is an end elevation illustrating the clamp in fully closedposition.

FIG. 8 is an end elevation illustrating the clamp in quarter openposition.

FIG. 9 is an end elevation illustrating the clamp in half open position.

FIG. 10 is an end elevation illustrating the clamp in fully openposition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With continued reference to thedrawings, a baseplate I0 is provided'of any desired material, such assheet metal or the like, which is bonded or otherwise attached to aflexible backing 11. A cover plate 12 of sheet material may be providedwhich is spaced from the base plate and connected thereto by theflexible backing 11. The backing 11 may be constructed of any desiredmaterial, such as vinyl or the like. When the device is in use, thecover plate 12 is folded outwardly to a position substantiallycoextensive with the base plate I0, as illustrated in FIG. 1, to supportone or more ledger sheets 13 in fully open position. When the device isnot in use, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the cover plate 12 is moved to aposition overlying the baseplate 10 to protect the ledger sheets andother accounting forms carried by the device. The ledger sheets 13usually are divided into rows and columns with the rows being numberedand the columns having a heading or other indicia identifying theinformation to be inserted therein.

Normally one or more additional accounting fonns, such as a shingledform 14, is adapted to overlie the ledger sheet 13 and such shingledform is provided with transfer material on the bottom surface so thatinformation written on the shingled form will be transferredautomatically to the ledger sheet. The shingled form 14 usually includesa plurality of individual sheets such as checks, receipts and the likeconnected together in overlapping relationship with each other to form abody along one side and in which the individual sheets are connected tothe body by a series of perforations so that each sheet can be easilydetached from the body. Each of the sheets of the shingled form includesat least one line on which information is to be recorded and such linepreferably is disposed over one of the rows of the ledger sheet 13.

In order to align the ledger sheet with the shingled form, one side ofthe ledger sheet is provided with a plurality of spaced openings and thebody of the shingled form is provided with a corresponding series ofopenings. The base plate 10 has a plurality of upstanding pegs 15 whichreceive the openings in the ledger sheet and the shingled form and whichmaintain the same in fixed relationship with each other.

The structure thus far described is conventional in the prior art andforms no part of the present invention.

In order to lock the ledger sheets 13 and shingled forms 14 to thebaseplate 10, as well as any additional papers or forms which may or maynot have openings along one side, a clamp 20 is provided along'one sideof such baseplate. The clamp 20 includes a lower hinge pin or pintle 21carried by a plurality of hinge members or knuckles 22 which may beformed as an integral part of the baseplate 10 or may be formed as aseparate IAlnar nupart and welded, riveted or otherwise fixed to suchbaseplate. The knuckles 22 are spaced apart a predetermined distance andadjacent to each end of the baseplate 10 a recess 23 is provided withinwhich no knuckles 22 are located. A lifter 24 having a plurality ofknuckles 25 is disposed above the baseplate 10 with the knuckles 25alternating with the knuckles 22 about the hinge pin 21. The lifter 24extends inwardly to a position substantially along a line passingthrough the axis of the pegs 15, and the inner edge of such lifter isprovided with a plurality of arcuate recesses 26 with one recessdisposed about each of the pegs 15 so that the lifter 24 does not engagethe pegs.

Attached to the inwardly extending portion of the lifter 24 is a lifterhinge member 27 which is generally angular in cross.

section. The upwardly extending portionof the hinge member 27 isprovided with a plurality of spaced knuckles 28 which support an upperhinge pin or pintle 29. An upper hinge member 30 having a plurality ofknuckles 31 disposed along one edge thereof is provided with theknuckles 31 disposed about the upper hinge pin 29 and alternating withthe knuckles 28 of the lifter hinge member 27. An elongated top plate 32is welded, riveted or otherwise fixed to the upper hinge member 30 andsuch top plate includes a central portion 33, an inner lip 34, and anouter lip 35 terminating in an enlargement 36. The inner edge of the lip34 and the enlargement 36 are generally parallel with each other andparallel with the baseplate 10 so that the inner lip will engage thebaseplate along substantially the entire length of the top plate.

In order to apply tension to the clamp 20, one or more pressure plates40 are provided having knuckles 41 swingably mounted on the lower hingepin 21. A pair of torque springs 42 are located within each of therecesses 23 and disposed about the hinge pin 21. Such springs areadapted to have one end bearing against the baseplate 10 and the otherend bearing against the pressure plate 40 to urge such pressure plateagainst the top plate 32. As illustrated, a pair of pressure plates areprovided with one of the plates being located adjacent to each end ofthe baseplate 10. Each of the pressure plates includes an upper portion43 connected to an intermediate portion 44 along a bend line or shoulder45 and the intermediate portion is connected to a lower portion 46 alonga bend line or shoulder 47. The upper portion 43 and the lower portion46 are substantially parallel to each other and are connected by theintermediate portion 44.

In the operation of the device, when the clamp is in closed position,the upper portion 43 of the pressure plates will engage the enlargement36 of the top plate and will apply an upward and inward force to causethe inner lip 34 of the top plate to extend over the pegs l andclampingly engage the accounting forms carried by the baseplate 10.

When it is desired to move the clamp 20 to a quarter open position, asillustrated in FIG. 8, a downward pressure and a pressure to the leftare applied to the top plate 32 to cause the lifter 24 to swing in acounterclockwise direction around the lower hinge pin 21 to cause thelifter 24 and the upper hinge pin 29 to pivot about the lower hinge pin21 until the inner edge of the lifter engages the underside of the topplate 32. Movement of the upper hinge pin 29 will raise the inner lip 34of the top plate out of engagement with the baseplate so that accountingforms can be inserted under the top plate and moved to a positionabutting the pegs 15. When the downward pressure is relieved on the topplate 32, the springs 42 and pressure plates 40 will return the topplate 32 to a position where the lip 34 will clamp the accounting formsagainst baseplate 10 and in abutting relationship with the pegs 15.

To move the clamp to a half open position, a downward pressure isapplied to the outer lip 35 of the top plate to cause the top plate toswing about the upper hinge pin 29 so that the enlargement 36 passes theshoulder 45. Initial downward movement of the outer lip 35 will forcethe pressure plate 40 to the left, as illustrated in FIG. 9, against thetension of the springs 42 but as soon as the enlargement 36 has passedthe shoulder 45, the intermediate portion 44 and the lower portion 46 ofthe pressure plates will force the enlargement 36 to the right againstthe lifter hinge member 27 and cause the clamp to snap open. When thedownward pressure on the top plate is relieved, the clamp will remainopen due to the pres sure of the pressure plates 40 so that the operatorcan use both hands to apply an accounting form to the pegs 1S and on topof the lifter 24. It is noted that in this position the lifter 24 hasnot moved and is still in engagement with the baseplate 10. To close theclamp from the half open position, pressure to the right is applied tothe central portion 33 and inner lip 34 of the top plate to cause thetop plate to swing about the upper hinge pin 29 until the enlargement 36passes the shoulder 45 of the pressure plates at which time suchpressure plates will cause the clamp to snap closed. The angle of theupper portion 43 of the pressure plate is designed so that the pressureplate partially locks the top plate 32 in closed position so thatshingled forms may be detached from the body without moving the clampfrom the closed position.

In order to move the clamp to a fully open position, the clamp first ismoved to a half open position, as previously described, and thereafterpressure to the left is applied to the inner lip 34 of the top plate 32,as illustrated in F 1G. 10. Since the enlargement 36 is in engagementwith the lifter hinge member 27, the top plate 32 cannot rotate furtherin a counterclockwise direction and therefore the axis of rotation willautomatically be transferred to the lower hinge pin 21 so that thelifter 24 and lifter hinge member will swing in a counterclockwisedirection about the lower hinge pin to raise the lifter 24 out ofengagement with the baseplate 10. Upward movement of the lifter 24 willautomaticzdly strip any accounting forms above the lifter from the pegsl5 and simultaneously will permit ledger sheets or other accountingforms which normally are below the lifter to be removed from or appliedto the pegs 15. When the pressure to the lifter is relieved, the torquesprings 42 and pressure plates 40 automatically will return the clamp tothe half open position with the lifter 24 bearing against the baseplate10.

lclaim:

1. A clamp board for multiple entry accounting systems comprising a basefor supporting a plurality of accounting forms, a first hinge meansmounted on said base, lifter means swingably connected to said firsthinge means, said lifter means having a first portion normally locatedabove at least certain of the accounting forms on said base and a secondportion disposed at an angle to said first portion, a second hinge meansmounted on the second portion of said lifter means in spaced relation tosaid first hinge means, an elongated top plate having spaced edges andbeing swingably mounted on said second hinge means intermediate saidedges, one of the edges of said top plate normally located above otherof the accounting forms, pressure plate means having first and secondportions and being swingably mounted on said base, means for urging saidpressure plate means against the other edge of said top plate, the firstportion of said pressure plate means normally adapted to engage saidother edge of said top plate and exert a force thereon to cause said oneedge and the first portion of said lifter means to clamp all of theaccounting forms on said base, the second portion of said pressure platemeans adapted to selectively engage said other edge of said top platewhen the top plate is swung in one direction about said second hingemeans to hold said top plate in nonclamping position with said liftingmeans in clamping position, whereby said other accounting forms arereleased by swinging said top plate about said second hinge means, andsaid certain accounting forms are released by swinging said top platewith said lifter means about said first hinge means.

2. The structure of claim 1 including a plurality of pegs mounted onsaid base, said pegs being in spaced generally parallel relationshipwith said first hinge means, and the first portion of said lifter meansterminating adjacent to said pegs, whereby accounting forms mounted onsaid pegs and located above said lifter means will be stripped from saidpegs when said lifter means is swung about said first hinge means.

3. The structure of claim 1 in which the second portion of said pressureplate means urges said other edge of said top plate against said liftermeans when the top plate is swung in the one direction, wherebycontinued movement of said top plate in the same direction causes saidlifter means to swing about said first hinge means.

1. A clamp board for multiple entry accounting systems comprising a basefor supporting a plurality of accounting forms, a first hinge meansmounted on said base, lifter means swingably connected to said firsthinge means, said lifter means having a first portion normally locatedabove at least cerTain of the accounting forms on said base and a secondportion disposed at an angle to said first portion, a second hinge meansmounted on the second portion of said lifter means in spaced relation tosaid first hinge means, an elongated top plate having spaced edges andbeing swingably mounted on said second hinge means intermediate saidedges, one of the edges of said top plate normally located above otherof the accounting forms, pressure plate means having first and secondportions and being swingably mounted on said base, means for urging saidpressure plate means against the other edge of said top plate, the firstportion of said pressure plate means normally adapted to engage saidother edge of said top plate and exert a force thereon to cause said oneedge and the first portion of said lifter means to clamp all of theaccounting forms on said base, the second portion of said pressure platemeans adapted to selectively engage said other edge of said top platewhen the top plate is swung in one direction about said second hingemeans to hold said top plate in nonclamping position with said liftingmeans in clamping position, whereby said other accounting forms arereleased by swinging said top plate about said second hinge means, andsaid certain accounting forms are released by swinging said top platewith said lifter means about said first hinge means.
 2. The structure ofclaim 1 including a plurality of pegs mounted on said base, said pegsbeing in spaced generally parallel relationship with said first hingemeans, and the first portion of said lifter means terminating adjacentto said pegs, whereby accounting forms mounted on said pegs and locatedabove said lifter means will be stripped from said pegs when said liftermeans is swung about said first hinge means.
 3. The structure of claim 1in which the second portion of said pressure plate means urges saidother edge of said top plate against said lifter means when the topplate is swung in the one direction, whereby continued movement of saidtop plate in the same direction causes said lifter means to swing aboutsaid first hinge means.